HSBC celebrates 60 years in the UAE by empowering a special community in partnership with Takamul

In a move that is consistent with the HSBC Group's overall positioning on diversity and being an equal opportunity employer, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited is looking to offer opportunities in its workforce in the UAE for certain people with special needs.

Niall S K Booker, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, said at the press conference: "Takamul's mission is to promote a barrier-free society in the UAE by developing local capacity for supporting people with special needs. HSBC is pleased to be a partner with Takamul in improving the opportunities for people with special needs, a role consistent with our CSR philosophy which is based on education and putting something back into the communities we serve. Through this initiative we hope to identify and train a few people who can fulfill roles within our own organisation over the coming years."

Takamul, a Dubai Education Council and Government of Dubai initiative aims to include, enable and empower all persons with special needs, making them fully participatory members of society. By collaborating with HSBC, Takamul aims to work in partnership with the bank to provide practical vocational training which will assist the integration of certain people with special needs into the workforce.

Dr. Haidar Al Yousuf , Executive Director , Takamul added: "HSBC has deep roots in the Middle East and we are delighted that the bank shares our vision for the inclusion and self-determination of people with special needs and their families in a barrier-free society by providing both financial support and employment opportunities in Dubai. This project has been piloted in Dubai in partnership with HSBC and if successful may be rolled out to the rest of the UAE and eventually through HSBC to the region."

At Takamul's Centre for Transition and Employment, the staff offer support to youth and adults with special needs to transition from home and school to employment.

Supported employment is a way to move people from dependence on a service delivery system to independence via gainful employment, with the opportunity to earn equitable wages and other employment related benefits, develop new skills, increase community participation, enhance self esteem, increase empowerment and most importantly improve their quality of life.

Mr. Booker added: "This project is all about people helping people and I am proud to share with you the fact that our staff made a significant voluntary contribution by choosing to donate the funds that had been allocated for the staff party to celebrate our 60th anniversary to this project. This I think demonstrates HSBC staff's generous and wholehearted commitment to supporting the community. To this, the bank has added an equal amount in support of this tremendous gesture by our staff. The bank is proud to be celebrating 60 years of operating in the UAE and is delighted to be offering our continued support in many different ways to the people of this great country."